Irish Water to write to 1,542 local homes

Irish Water says its writing to over 1,500 homeowners in Louth and Meath because of concerns over lead contamination.

The company says that it has identified 26,000 homes nationwide with a possible lead pipe connection, although that figure is set to rise as it continues to install water meters.

The metal can harm brain and kidney function.

Irish Water says it will be writing to all of these customers to make them aware of the issue and provide them with a number of measures which they can take to eliminate or limit the amount of lead in their drinking water.

Grants will be made available to low-income houses to replace the pipes.

Irish Water says it has so far identified 1,453 houses in Louth and 89 in Meath which could be affected.